Lending Specialist 2

Farmers and Merchants Bank of Long Beach•Seal Beach, CA

About The Position

The Lending Specialist provides prompt, high-quality customer service while collaborating across multiple branches and with regional lending personnel. The role performs a broad range of loan-processing, documentation, and portfolio-management functions, including preparing loan worksheets and forms, reviewing complex entity documentation, facilitating loan signings, maintaining electronic loan files, perfecting loan collateral, servicing loans, monitoring covenants, and resolving customer inquiries and concerns. The position supports loan officers and regional lending operations by verifying borrower information, coordinating underwriting due diligence and loan documentation, managing closings and post-closing requirements, and ensuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations, bank policies, and security procedures. The role requires an active Notary Commission and may provide Notary Public services as needed. This is a non-exempt position that is not classified as sensitive and is not eligible for an Officer Title. Work is primarily performed in an office environment. The position requires use of standard computers and office equipment and may require sitting or standing for extended periods, repetitive office and computer movements, and moving objects weighing up to 25 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Active Notary Commission.
Knowledge of BSA, FCRA, and applicable banking regulations, including ECOA, CRA, funds availability, truth in savings, electronic fund transfers, flood insurance, RESPA, and TILA.
Knowledge of loan products and loan documentation, new account procedures, general banking operations, complaint documentation and resolution, privacy and customer data protection, safe deposit box procedures, security and robbery response protocols, and UCC filings and searches.
Strong foundational mathematics and analytical skills.
Critical thinking, sound judgment, and problem-solving abilities.
Outstanding customer service and client support skills.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, Word, and Outlook.
Accurate and efficient typing and data-entry skills.
Strong time-management and organizational abilities.
Active listening skills and ability to learn new processes quickly.
Effective written and verbal communication skills.
Professional interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate respectfully with supervisors and colleagues.
Ability to remain calm and professional when managing difficult or upset individuals.
Ability to assess client concerns, resolve issues independently, and escalate appropriately when needed.
Ability to perform repetitive office and computer-based movements, sit or stand for extended periods, use hands and fingers to operate office equipment, and lift, carry, or move objects up to 25 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Nice To Haves

Up to one year of commercial loan processing experience or equivalent is preferred.

Responsibilities

Verify and assess the accuracy of borrower information and supporting documentation throughout the loan application process.
Identify, investigate, and resolve discrepancies in loan origination and servicing with minimal supervisory oversight.
Review complex organizational and entity documentation to determine authorized signers and validate approval authorities.
Ensure compliance with Customer Identification Program (CIP) and Customer Due Diligence (CDD) requirements.
Initiate and manage orders for appraisals, credit reports, UCC searches, and other underwriting due diligence items.
Prepare loan worksheets for approval, coordinate document preparation, and review loan documents for accuracy and completeness.
Compile and manage closing documentation, facilitate loan signings, and support smooth loan closings.
Maintain and organize electronic loan files in Laserfiche according to internal standards.
Support loan officers with portfolio management by tracking post-closing items, monitoring loan maturities, and collecting annual financial statements.
Provide regional support to additional branches as assigned by the Regional Lending Specialist Coordinator.
Follow federal and state regulations, internal policies, and bank security procedures.
Collaborate with cross-functional departments to support timely and accurate loan processing.
Maintain an active Notary Commission and perform Notary Public services as required.
Participate in ongoing lending training, team meetings, and process improvements.
Comply with applicable banking laws, regulations, and internal policies, including BSA, AML, OFAC, CIP, financial elder abuse reporting, harassment prevention, information security, and privacy requirements.